HC Deb 05 March 1959 vol 601 cc608-9
22. Mr. John Hall

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the award of a contract to Messrs. C. & A. Parsons by the Tennessee Valley Authority is to be made the subject of an investigation on the ground of United States national security; and, in view of the effect on British export trade, what representations he has now, therefore, made on this matter.

Sir D. Eccles

As I told the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) on 19th February, I have no reason to suppose that the award is not firm.

Mr. Hall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, quite apart from a suggestion that the award of this generating contract to Messrs. C. & A. Parsons poses a threat to United States national security, it is suggested also that this British firm lacks both the background and the experience to carry out the work? Will my right hon. Friend agree that Messrs. Parsons have much more experience of this kind of work than any of their unsuccessful American competitors, and that they have built and are continuing to build the world's largest generators?

Sir D. Eccles

I do not know who were the competitors, but I entirely agree with my hon. Friend that the record of Messrs. C. & A. Parsons is second to none.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Tennessee Valley Authority has insisted again that the contract is standing, but, nevertheless, will he do his best to make sure that there is no danger of firms of great repute like Messrs. Parsons going to the great expense of preparing all the tenders and details merely to find that there is no prospect of the order being available?

Sir D. Eccles

The United States Government are very well aware of our concern in this matter.